Finals-bound Adelaide has avoided back-to-back AFLW defeats, with Ebony Marinoff leading a commanding performance against West Coast at Norwood Oval.
Stunned by previously winless Richmond six days earlier, the Crows could ill-afford another upset defeat in the race for a top-four spot.
A blistering start meant they were not threatened by the Eagles, flexing their muscles in a 7.6 (48) to 4.7 (31) victory on Saturday afternoon.
The result lifted the Crows into fourth spot on the ladder with a 6-3 win-loss record.
Despite the defeat, West Coast (5-4) is still on track for its first finals appearance.
Marinoff led all players on the ground with 30 disposals and seven clearances, as the Crows dominated the inside-50 count (43-23).
Madison Newman (19 disposals, two goals) and Teah Charlton (17 disposals, one goal) were also busy for the hosts, who have not lost consecutive matches in more than five years.
The Eagles’s goals were shared between Isabella Lewis, Charlotte Riggs, Emma Swanson and Mikayla Western.
Ella Roberts managed 20 disposals for the Eagles, who are back at home on Friday night against fellow finals contender, Geelong.
The Crows next face the toughest assignment in the competition, an away match against rampant premiership favourites North Melbourne.
Hawks fire past Suns
Hawthorn moved into the top two with a comfortable 23-point win over struggling Gold Coast.
The Hawks held off a late surge from the Suns and claimed their fourth win on the bounce, leading from start to finish in their 8.12 (60) to 6.1 (37) win in Frankston.
Greta Bodey (left) and the Hawks were too strong for the Suns. (Getty Images: Graham Denholm)
The win has the Hawks in provisional second place ahead of Melbourne, although the Demons play Fremantle on Sunday.
Gold Coast had no answers for Hawks forward Aine McDonagh, who kicked three goals and had another four behinds.
Hawks veteran Kaitlyn Ashmore snagged two well-timed majors.
With Hawthorn skipper Emily Bates sidelined, ruck Lucy Wales (18 disposals, 20 hit-outs), and midfielders Eliza West (18 disposals) and Jasmine Fleming (17 disposals) shared the ball around.
Defenders Laura Elliott and Jenna Richardson (seven intercepts apiece) were influential as Hawthorn’s backline held up terrifically.
Gold Coast’s Charlie Rowbottom (28 disposals, nine tackles, five clearances), Niamh McLaughlin (20 disposals) and Maddy Brancatisano (20 disposals) were busy and Jacqueline Dupuy kicked three goals.
Hawthorn next plays Port Adelaide at Alberton on Friday.
Gold Coast travels to Mackay’s Great Barrier Reef Arena to meet the Western Bulldogs next Sunday.
Cats sink Giants
Georgie Prespakis stepped up in her 50th AFLW match, as Geelong produced an irresistible late blitz to secure a vital 27-point win over GWS.
The Cats kicked five goals to one in the final quarter of their 11.6 (72) to 6.9 (45) victory at Kardinia Park.
Georgie Prespakis (centre) enjoyed a day out for the Cats in her milestone match. (Getty Images: Daniel Pockett)
A quick burst of three goals in as many minutes split open a tight match early in the fourth term and improved Geelong’s win-loss record to 4-5.
Dan Lowther’s side are still within reach of the top eight with three rounds to play, while the Giants (2-7) are out of finals contention.
Prespakis shone with 23 disposals, eight clearances, six tackles and two goals in her milestone appearance.
Chantal Mason kicked three goals and Aishling Moloney finished with two.
Mikayla Bowen (22 disposals, one goal) and Amy McDonald (19 disposals, five clearances) were also prominent.
It was Geelong’s first AFLW win over GWS after three previous attempts.
Tarni Evans finished with three majors for the Giants, who were well served by Zarlie Goldsworthy (27 disposals, seven clearances, one goal).
Rebecca Beeson (24 disposals, six clearances) and Kaitlyn Shroj (23 touches) also fought hard in a losing cause.
AAP/ABC